Chapter 33: Whims, Desires, and Goals

They say the human heart is the most complex battlefield of all.
Not because of the weapons wielded there, but because of the voices that dwell within it.

There are moments when memories are no longer fragments of the past.
They become blades. Fire. Invisible chains that strangle the will.
Edén knew that. Or rather, he was beginning to.
Because the past—the one he had always believed buried—had decided to open its eyes.
And with it, doubt awakened too.

Who was he, really? A son? A weapon? A chosen one?
Or merely the mistake of an ancient war?

Sometimes, truth doesn’t set you free.
Sometimes, it simply changes the shape of the cage.

As the world’s shadows moved more violently than ever, the faces that once offered comfort now only sowed confusion.
Love became a debt. Blood, a destiny.
And promises… traps wrapped in sweetness.

Edén had awakened—but not as a hero.
Not yet.
He had awakened as someone who had seen too much, and still didn’t know whether to believe.

This is a chapter where the whims of gods, the desires of men, and the hidden agendas begin to clash beyond repair.
Where every choice leaves a scar.
Where even love… can hurt more than hatred.

And you, reader… would you dare to choose a path when none of them feels right?

——————————————————————————————————————————

Silence grew heavier than ever.

“It can’t be true…” murmured Edén, his voice breaking.

Iss stood before him, her gaze steady—though in her eyes shimmered a faint light of guilt.
“I understand your confusion. There’s an explanation for all this.”
“This can’t be true… My mother died years ago…” Edén insisted, taking a step back.
“I know you’re confused. And that’s my fault.”
“What are you talking about?” he asked, a knot forming in his chest.
“You’ll understand now…”

Iss raised her hand and, with a calm motion, placed her palm on his forehead.
“Seal, release.”

A six-pointed star glowed upon Edén’s brow. Then, without warning—it shattered.

That’s when the visions came.
Not one, not two—hundreds.

Unknown memories burst into his mind like uncontrollable lightning:

“Look, Edén, these are your grandparents.”
“I’m introducing you to your brother, Zero.”
“I’m sorry, Edén. One day, you’ll understand.”
“Edén!”
“Little brother… I’m sorry…”

The cries of a child echoed amid the ruins of a buried past, while darkness devoured everything.

The young man clutched his head, staggering, gasping as if air itself had turned against him.
“W-What… what is this…?” he stammered, unable to stand.

“Everything you just saw… that is you,” Iss replied softly. “That’s the real Edén Yomi.”

The boy lifted his face. He was pale, his eyes trembling.
“Why…? Why didn’t I remember anything? Why were my memories fake…? What is all this?”

“I’m sorry,” she said with sorrow. “I had to do it. If I hadn’t sealed your memories, both you and the old man would’ve been in danger.”

“Who’s Zero…? A brother…? Why didn’t I know anything?” Edén’s voice cracked.
“Why?! If you’re really my mother—then give me an answer!”

Iss closed her eyes for a moment.
“Alright. I will.”

Her tone was calm, but heavy—each word carried years of torment.
“When you were born, I was hunted by my own people. In Artemis’s camp, relationships were forbidden—much more so pregnancy.
At first, I didn’t want to have you… You were the result of a god’s assault.”

Edén stared at her in silence. The air became suffocating.

“But one day, I realized you weren’t to blame. So I escaped.
I fled the place I once called home… until I reached the human world.
There, I met Gen and his wife. They took me in as their own daughter.
For a moment… I thought I had a family.”

Iss’s voice turned bitter.
“But one day, they came.”

The memories shifted. Eleven hooded figures stood before her, towering like a living nightmare.

“Damn you… who are you people?” she remembered shouting.
“Apologies for the abrupt introduction,” one of them had said. “I’m the leader of Black Lights. And we want you to join our ranks.”

Back in the present, Iss continued.
“They promised to spare those around me if I joined them.
But everything changed on December 10th—when your power awakened.”

Edén frowned upon hearing the date.
“That day… they told me they were coming for you.”

She remembered it clearly—the contempt, the fear, the threat.
The knife against her throat.

“Iss,” one of them had said coldly. “The prophecy is clear.
The child born after the Great War, son of a god and a human, will rule the new world.”

“And how did they know it was me?” Edén asked, almost whispering.

“There were signs. Too many coincidences.
And… they were right,” she admitted.

Edén’s breathing grew heavier.
My father is a god…? They want to capture me…? A god of a new world…? What the hell is this…?

Iss seemed to sense his turmoil.
“I know it’s a lot to take in. But you have to trust me.
If you join us… you can be happy again.”

Then, Edén spoke, his voice breaking.
“Grandfather…”

Iss closed her eyes, already knowing what was coming.
“Yes… I know…”
“He was captured by two members of Black Lights.”

Iss’s face turned pale.
“What did you just say?” she asked, her composure finally cracking.

“I’ll join Black Lights on one condition,” declared Edén, his voice unwavering. “I want my grandfather back.”

His words echoed through the air like a verdict. There was no trace of hesitation in his eyes—only determination.

I’m sorry, Shun. Sorry, Sara, Shu, Yuki, Violet, Afrodita… But I have to get my grandfather back, no matter what it takes, he thought, clenching his fist.

Iss lowered her gaze slightly.
Gen was captured…? Why didn’t I know that? she wondered in silence.

Before she could respond, a familiar voice broke through the tension.
“She’s lying…” said Hela from the shadows, her tone burning with rage.
“Master!” exclaimed Edén, startled.

Iss turned with disdain.
“Well, well… so you’re still alive.”
“Edén, don’t believe a single word she says. She only cares about herself,” warned Hela, her voice strained.
“Shut up,” Iss snapped, and with a flick of her wrist, flames engulfed the goddess.

The fire began to consume her slowly.
“Hela!” shouted Edén, taking a step back.

What do I do…? She’s my only lead to finding my grandfather. But if I don’t join Iss, I might lose my only chance… he thought, paralyzed by doubt.

Suddenly, a heavy darkness swept over the chamber, smothering both the heat and the fire.
“What…?” Edén whispered, confused.

From within the shadows, a figure emerged with confident, almost casual steps.
“Hey, hey… what the hell do you think you’re doing?” said Loki, his usual sarcastic tone breaking the silence as he extinguished the flames with a mere gesture.

The fire consuming Hela vanished into dust.

Loki stepped closer to Iss, his gaze filled with contempt and threat.
“You’re lucky my daughter isn’t as weak as you think… but if you ever lay a finger on her again, I swear I’ll tear you apart.”

Iss slowly unsheathed her sword.
“Do you really think you could?”

But Loki was faster. He caught her wrist, deflected the blade, and in the same movement, gripped her throat.
“I don’t think I can,” he said coldly. “I know I can.”

Iss swallowed hard.
“I was only playing. There’s no need to overreact…”

Loki released her and rolled his shoulders with mock indifference.
“That’s what I thought.”

He took a few steps toward Edén and met his eyes.
“So, you’re the famous Edén Yomi. Nice to finally meet you, kid.”

Edén frowned.
This energy… I remember it. He was there…

The memories clicked all at once.
“You were one of them, weren’t you?”

Loki raised an eyebrow.
“What are you talking about?”

“You were the one who activated the barrier the day Black Lights attacked Grek… weren’t you?”

A crooked smile formed on the god’s lips.
“Well, look at that… you can identify people by their energy. No wonder they’re so interested in you.”

But something’s different… Edén thought. His energy is filled with hatred. Something’s changed him… something dark.

Iss cut through the tension.
“Enough talk. Here’s your payment for doing your part.”

With a snap of her fingers, a sack overflowing with golden coins appeared, floating in the air.

Loki eyed the coins with mild amusement.
“Now that I see them up close… that’s a bit much.”
“Shut up and take your money. I have more important matters to handle—with my son,” Iss retorted sharply.
“Yeah, yeah… whatever you say.”

The god knelt beside Hela, placing a hand over her wounded chest. A soft, enveloping energy began to heal her.

Incredible… thought Edén, watching as his teacher began to breathe normally again.

I’m sorry you had to go through this, my daughter… Loki murmured inwardly.

Then he stood and looked back at Iss.
“By the way… what the hell are the others doing?”
“The others…?” Iss looked momentarily confused. “What do you mean?”
“Don’t play dumb. I know you sent the rest of your team to take me down.”
“Well, you are the god of trickery and lies,” she replied with a forced smile.
“Sorry to tell you—they’re already dead,” he said with a shrug.

“What did you just say…?” Iss’s voice cracked.
“I was going to spare them, honestly… but once I found out what you planned to do to Hela, I decided to even the scales.”

Iss gritted her teeth.
“You bastard…”
“You should be grateful I didn’t take justice into my own hands, or I’d have tortured you even in the depths of hell.”

She let out a dry, bitter laugh.
“I don’t care. They were useless.”
“Oh, really? Then I’m sure your boss will be thrilled to learn that you took subordinates without permission—and that you tried to capture his top target.”

Iss’s face went pale.
“What did you do…?”
“Who knows?” Loki replied casually.

He approached Edén and leaned slightly toward him.
“Your power is special… but no one has the right to decide what you do with it except you. So tell me, Edén Yomi—what path will you take? I’ll be watching with interest.”

As he turned away, he slipped something into Edén’s pocket, so subtly the boy barely noticed.
“Good luck, kid god. See you around, Iss.”

With complete nonchalance, Loki lifted Hela into his arms and began to walk away.

“Wait!” shouted a voice from the back of the chamber.

Loki froze, turning his head just slightly.
“Hm? And who might you be?”

Isaac emerged from the shadows, his spear aimed directly at the god’s throat.
“Don’t tell me you’ve already forgotten me, bastard.”

Loki looked at him with feigned curiosity.
“Let me think… Nope. No idea who you are.”

Edén, still trying to process everything that had just happened, instantly recognized that voice.
“Isaac…?”

“What do you want?” asked Loki, utterly unfazed by the weapon so close to his neck.

“I’ve done my part,” Isaac said through clenched teeth. “Now it’s your turn to do yours.”

Loki narrowed his eyes.
“No matter how long I look at you, I still don’t remember a thing.”

“Enough games!” Isaac barked. “If you keep this up, I swear I’ll kill you!”

The god snapped his fingers.
“Ah! Now I remember! You’re that student from Grek… Zack, wasn’t it?”

“My name is Isaac Yoi. Son of Ares.”

“Ohhh, Isaac. Right, right. Now it rings a bell. So—what do you want?”

Isaac’s teeth ground together.
“I want you to give me back my sister, you bastard.”

Edén’s eyes widened in disbelief.
His sister…?

“Oh, now I remember,” murmured Loki casually, as if discussing the weather. “You’re the guy whose sister I kidnapped to use as a spy. Good times…”

“I see your memory works fine when it suits you,” Isaac spat.

“As for that…” Loki smirked. “I lied.”

Isaac’s expression went rigid, his whole face trembling.
“What… did you just say?”

“Come now,” Loki chuckled. “No need to get angry.”

“No need—?! I did everything for her!”

“Look on the bright side,” added Loki, shrugging.

“And what the hell is that supposed to be?”

“Now that I think about it… there isn’t one.”

Isaac snapped. He lunged forward, his spear glowing with power—but Loki caught it with one hand.

“Poor fool… you really shouldn’t have done that.”

A single blow to the stomach sent Isaac collapsing to his knees.

“Isaac!” shouted Edén.

“You wanted to see your little sister, right? Don’t worry… you’ll be joining her soon enough.”

Loki kicked him hard, slamming him into the ground, then continued to beat him mercilessly.

“Come on, get up! Come on! Your sister fought harder than this!”

“Where is she?!” roared Isaac, blood dripping from his mouth.

“Where? Well… the day after our little deal—” Loki grinned. “I killed her.”

The silence turned suffocating. Everyone froze.

“I still remember her screams as I tore her apart. It was… exquisite.”

And then Loki began to laugh—a broken, deranged, sadistic laugh that chilled even the air itself.

Isaac didn’t move for several seconds.
He… killed her…?

His whole body began to tremble. A dark, overwhelming energy erupted from within him.

“Well, this looks dangerous,” muttered Loki, still smiling.

“Damn you, Loki! Why bring your chaos here?!” shouted Iss, raising a barrier that shielded her and Edén.

But it was already too late.

Isaac shot forward at impossible speed, seizing Loki by the throat and slamming him into the walls, shattering stone after stone. Another strike hurled the god against the far end of the chamber, the impact echoing like thunder.

Isaac’s eyes were empty—only rage remained.
“I’ll kill you!”

Loki, bloodied and bruised, smiled as if he’d been waiting for this.
“Go on then… show me what you’ve got.”

Isaac’s blows rained down like an unrelenting storm, each hit stronger than the last. Loki coughed blood, his divine body cracking under the barrage.

Then, with calm precision, Loki caught Isaac’s fist midair.
“I think it’s time I returned the favor.”

A kick to the jaw staggered Isaac, and the god unleashed a barrage of his own—breaking flesh, bone, and will.

“What’s wrong?” Loki sneered. “You disappoint me. I thought you might put up a fight. But you’re just another child crying over his dead sister.”

The final punch to the head knocked Isaac out cold.

Loki stood over him for a moment.
“What a letdown. I expected more.”

Edén could barely breathe.
He destroyed Isaac that easily…? Just how strong is this man…?

“Do whatever you want with him, Iss. I’m done here.”

With a snap of his fingers, the corpses scattered across Helheim began to glow with a sinister energy.

“What’s happening…?” whispered Edén, stepping back.

The ground shook. From the depths of the underworld, a colossal creature emerged—a dragon of rotting flesh and hollow eyes.

“Took you long enough, Nidhogg,” said Loki coolly. “Well then… time to destroy the gods. See you around.”

Nidhogg roared, tearing through the walls and carving a path for Loki and his army of Draugr.

Iss watched in silence, brow furrowed.
What do I do…? If Loki’s already reported everything, I’m alone. I’ll have to turn to him… but first, I need to stall for time.

Edén stood frozen in the middle of the chaos, pain and confusion devouring him from the inside.
Am I doing the right thing…? Grandfather… what should I do?

He lowered his head.
I can’t think straight. The memories… they won’t stop coming…

“Can I ask you something?” he said, without looking at her.

Iss barely turned her face toward him.
“What is it?”

“Why did you really leave…?”

“What do you mean?”

“I know you’re still hiding something. There’s another reason, isn’t there? Something deeper?”

Iss’s lips curved into a cold smile.
“You’re hard to fool… Fine. I’ll tell you.”

Her eyes darkened.
“I hate you. I hate you with every fiber of my being. You should be dead—are you happy now?”

Edén froze.

“Did you really think I wanted to have you? Your damned father ruined my life. Because of him, I lost everything. The gods… they think their power gives them the right to do whatever they want. I despise them—all of them.”

Her voice trembled, but her words cut sharper than any blade.

“And that’s why, Edén… I’m going to take everything from them. One by one. I’ll destroy them all. But to do it… I need your power.”

The silence that followed was deafening.

“I see now…” Edén murmured. “You never wanted me. You only wanted to use me.”

“Yes,” she said simply. “That’s right. And I will—because I know how much that damned god who fathered you loves you. When he finds out what I’m going to do to you… that’s when I’ll finally feel like I’ve repaid him for all the pain he caused me.”

Flashback

The battlefield was drowned in smoke, fire, and corpses.
War cries thundered like the heartbeat of chaos itself.

Iss carved her way through the enemy ranks with lethal precision, her spear flashing with every strike.
“Damn it… these bastards just keep coming,” she thought, panting as she drove her weapon through another soldier’s chest.

Sweat ran down her face. Her wounds were starting to weigh on her body.
A split second later, an arrow whistled toward her head—then suddenly veered off course.

“What…?”

A shadow lunged at the archer who had fired. It grabbed him by the neck… and tore him clean in two.

Before her, the newcomer removed his helmet.
“Are you all right?” Hades asked, his voice calm and deep.

“Yes. Thank you,” Iss replied, steadying herself despite the shock.

Hades looked at her a moment longer than he should have—captivated.
“Sorry,” he said with a faint grin. “Got lost in your beauty for a second.”

“You’d better not lose focus again,” she retorted flatly. “That kind of distraction can get you killed on the battlefield.”

“Cold as ice…” he muttered under his breath, while thinking, That uniform… one of Artemis’ warriors. I see.

Hours later, a bonfire cast flickering light over the faces of soldiers celebrating their victory.

“Cheers!” they shouted, raising their cups high.

Hades approached Iss, who sat apart from the others in silence.
“Not drinking?” he asked.

“Getting drunk in the middle of a war is idiotic. The enemy could strike at any moment.”

“Come on, one drink won’t kill you. Don’t be such a buzzkill.”

Iss turned her gaze toward him—and placed her sword against his throat.
“I don’t care if you’re a god. If I have to, I’ll skewer you right here.”

“All right, all right!” Hades said quickly, raising his hands in surrender.

From the back, Artemis let out a soft laugh.

“What’s so funny?” asked Hades, confused.

“Nothing,” the goddess replied. “But let me warn you—don’t you dare touch her. She’s one of my finest warriors. If you so much as lay a finger on her, I’ll kill you both.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever you say…” Hades muttered, swallowing hard.

Days passed. Hades and Iss continued fighting side by side. They moved together like two souls forged from the same flame, perfectly attuned in battle. But the war gave no respite.

“Damn it, this never ends!” shouted Hades, covered in dirt and blood.

“Stop whining and keep fighting!” Iss barked back.

An arrow sliced through the air and struck her in the side, piercing her armor and lodging deep between her ribs. Iss fell to her knees, gasping in pain.

“Iss!” Hades cried, his eyes wide with panic.

An enemy tried to flee, but the atmosphere suddenly grew heavy—dark.

“Where do you think you’re going…?” Hades’ voice turned cold, inhuman.

In a single instant, he vanished. Then, before Iss could even blink, the fleeing soldier exploded into a thousand bloody fragments.

“Are you all right?” Hades asked, returning to his normal form.

“I… I think so…” Iss stared at him in shock.
What was that…? I couldn’t even see him move. Is that the power he’s been hiding all along? Why did he let me talk to him like he was just another soldier…?

“This isn’t good,” Hades muttered. “That arrow broke several bones… and pierced an organ or two.”

“I’m fine,” she insisted, trying to pull the arrow out. “I just need—”

But before she could finish, he lifted her onto his shoulder without a word.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing, idiot?! Put me down right now!”

“No way,” he said firmly. “You’re going to the medics. I’m not letting you die in my arms.”

“Good thing you brought her in time,” said the doctor as he checked her vitals. “If you’d been any later, the poison on that arrow would have killed her.”

Hades let out a long sigh of relief.
“Thank you, doctor.”

“And you, warrior,” the doctor added, fixing Iss with a stern gaze, “you need to rest for the next few days. No excuses. If you don’t, you’ll only be a burden on the battlefield.”

Iss averted her eyes but eventually nodded.
“Fine…”

Hades sat beside her.
“You can relax now, Iss. We’ve gained the upper hand against the Romans.”

“I know…” she whispered. “But still…”

“This war will end soon. Trust me,” he said, smiling as if his words alone could ease her heart.

She didn’t reply, but something in her eyes clung to that promise.

Days passed, and their bond grew stronger.
They fought back-to-back, protecting each other amid the chaos.

One night, under the calm glow of a shared room, Hades looked at her.
“You look beautiful tonight.”

Iss scoffed.
“Say what you want, I’m not sleeping with you.”

“I know. Artemis forbade it.”

“That’s right.”

“What if she never finds out?”

“I won’t risk it. If she learns what happened, my life is over.”

“I won’t let that happen,” Hades said firmly.

Iss met his eyes for a moment longer than usual.
“I already told you. Nothing will ever happen between us.”

“Yeah, yeah,” he murmured, resigned.

A few days later, during a meal, Artemis’s sharp gaze never left Hades.

“What?” he asked, uneasy.

“You look suspicious,” said the goddess of the hunt. “Are you hiding something?”

“Do I?”

“Yes. Did you do something to Iss?”

“No.”

The goddess narrowed her eyes.
“I see… So you’ve fallen for that human.”

Hades nearly choked on his food.
“That’s not true!”

“You can’t lie to me. I know you too well. But let me remind you—none of my warriors are allowed to have lovers, much less bear a child. Don’t you dare.”

“I know,” he sighed. “She’s told me the same thing a hundred times this year.”

“You’d better not do anything stupid,” Artemis warned coldly.

Night came. In the dimness, Iss and Hades lay on the same bed. The air between them was tense.

“Are you sure nothing will happen?” she whispered.

“I promise,” he said softly. “I’ve taken every precaution.”

Days passed. Then came the nausea, the dizziness, the weakness.
In the corridor, Nemis—one of Artemis’s most loyal warriors—saw Iss stumble.

“Are you all right?”

“Yes… don’t worry…”

But a second later, Iss fell to her knees, trembling.
“What’s happening to me…? Why do I feel so weak?”

“This isn’t good. Come with me,” Nemis ordered protectively.

They rushed to the oracle, who spoke the words Iss feared most.
“You are with child.”

“It can’t be…” she whispered, shattered.

She confronted Hades, furious, trembling—but he said nothing. He simply walked away.

Days later, Iss’s condition worsened. Pale and starved, she locked herself in her room, trapped in terror.
“I can’t go on like this… If Artemis finds out, she’ll kill me… just like she did to her friend…”

Clenching her teeth, Iss grabbed a knife. Once, twice, three times… she stabbed herself in despair.

“Iss! Stop!” shouted Nemis, bursting into the room and tearing the blade from her hands.

“Nemis… what should I do?”

“I’ll help you,” Nemis said firmly. “But that child inside you isn’t to blame for its father’s stupidity.”

Using healing magic, Nemis closed the wounds.
“Tonight, we run. It’s our only chance.”

When night fell, they escaped through the forest.
Then—a whistle, and an arrow struck the ground before them.

“No…” whispered Nemis.

“Iss…” came the cold voice of Artemis.

“Iss, run,” ordered Nemis. “You can’t fight in your condition.”

“What a shame…” Artemis smiled cruelly. “My little animals told me a secret. Is it true you’re carrying a baby?”

“Damn it…” thought Nemis. We’ve been watched all along.

“Did you really think you could escape me?”

Iss tried to speak, but Artemis interrupted her.

“Silence, traitor! You gave in to your carnal desires… humans are so pitiful.”

In an instant, the goddess appeared before Iss, ready to strike—but Nemis blocked her attack.

“Run, Iss!”

“Nemis…” the young woman whispered, frozen.

“GO!”

They clashed. But Artemis was far too powerful.
In a single motion, the goddess’s blade pierced Nemis’s throat.

“Pathetic mortals,” she spat.

Iss felt her heart break as her friend’s aura faded away.
With the last of her strength, she sank into the ground. Artemis’s sword stabbed exactly where she had been seconds earlier.

“Missed…? She was right here. Where did she go?”

Somewhere else, in a moonlit garden, Iss opened her eyes.

“Am I dead? Is this paradise?”

A gentle voice approached.
“Miss? Are you all right?”

Iss lifted her gaze toward the man before her—Gen.

“You’re hurt. You need help right away.”

“Paradise doesn’t seem so bad after all…” she thought faintly, before losing consciousness.

Back to the present.

Edén stood frozen, unable to close his mouth. The words, the memories… everything he’d just heard shattered him inside.

“I… I’m sorry,” he murmured.

“I don’t care about your apologies,” Iss replied coldly. “The only thing I want is your power—the power that will let me destroy every god.”

Edén lowered his head. A storm of guilt and confusion swirled inside him.

Should I refuse…? he thought. No… it’s my fault she suffered all this. I have to make it right.

“Soon,” Iss continued, “your worthless life will have purpose. So be proud.”

“…Yes,” Edén answered, his voice hollow.

At the back of the hall, Isaac’s unconscious body remained still.
Barely audible, a whisper escaped his lips:

“...Sister…”